Shirt, Tie and Pocket Square

It has been a long time since I last wrote a blog post but this year I hope to have more time.

Let's move on to today's topic: How to combine shirt, tie and pocket square.

Many people underestimate the importance of the right balance between these three items. It is quite obvious that the three have to match in some way, BUT you don't want the tie and the pocket square to be identical in colour and pattern. People buy pocket squares and think that it automatically makes them a well-dressed person. A pocket square should be chosen very carefully because I have seen some cases where they ended up looking like clowns to put it mildly.

This is how I combine shirt, tie and pocket square:
1. I choose a theme. (Do I want it to be discreet and conservative or dandy-ish and eye-catching?)
2. Let's assume were going to an interview or a business meeting:
The strategy for an interview or a business meeting is to go for a discreet and conservative style if you want to play it safe and a dandy-ish and eye-catching style if you really want to stand out from the crowd (NOTE: I recommend you only choose the latter if you are (in case of an interview) self-confident and (in case of a business meeting) confident about what you are presenting or selling (the first one does also apply to business meetings). You obviously have to do it right to even consider doing it!
If you do really well at a business meeting or an interview then the interviewer or your prospective client is going remember you not only for your performance but also for your style.
If you don't do well then the person is very likely to forget about your business proposal but remember the ridiculous pocket square that you were wearing.
3. Choose a shirt.
A solid basis: a white or a light blue shirt. For the ones that like to mix it up  a little - lilac and pale green. (NOTE: The tie should always be a darker colour than the shirt. So don't choose a black shirt as that would limit your options.)
4. Choose a tie.
Depending on whether the shirt is bright-coloured and/ or bold-patterned or not determines the colour and boldness of the pattern of your tie. If you choose a shirt that is quite busy (for example: a Paul Smith-like multi colour pattern) then for god's sake don't even think about wearing a bold-patterned tie (i.e. a bright-coloured tie with huge multicoloured polka dots). Even if the shirt has a two-colour striped pattern then try to tone it down a bit choosing a uni-coloured or patterned tie (if the stripes on the shirt are thin then you can go for a tie with a thicker striped or bolder patterned tie); NOTE: if the pattern of the shirt is bold then go for a tie with a pattern that is not bold and vice versa.
5. Choose a pocket square.
If your outfit is conservative it should go very well with a folded white cotton hanky. If your outfit, however, is very colourful and dandy-ish then you should choose the pocket square carefully. Paisley, polka and stripes can be considered. Whatever comes to your mind really. The colours of the pocket square should match the overall colour-theme!

I hope this helps you use your style to your advantage.

Philip

Apology

Hi,

the internet in the part of Sweden where I am was down for a couple of days so I never got the chance to post the "Christmas Shopping Guide" entry...

I wish you all a happy new year!

Cheers,

Philip

Last Minute Shopping Guide

Tomorrow I will post a last minute shopping guide for the slightly lazy housewives...

The Power Suit

We're bringing back the power suit! The power suit belongs in every senior manager's wardrobe and will not only make you stand out from the crowd, but also make a huge impression on your subordinates. They will literally go down on their knees and ask for permission to touch this masterpiece that defines a leader. Worn by the likes of Gordon Gekko, Patrick Bateman and most recently by Robert Fischer in Inception it is quite obvious that it will give you an instant confidence-boost. Treat yourself with this double-breasted navy pinstripe beauty that once reinvented the banker's uniform. 
This incredible cloth is a wool and silk blend with a hint of sheen. 
Wear it with a solid colour shirt (preferably white, light blue or lilac) and combine it with a power tie i.e. red (not Santander red), navy or purple (a new power tie colour). Black well-polished cap toe oxfords and a matching pocket square (contrasting pattern though). 
Enjoy your day at work! 

Buy the ultimate power suit here. 
(A Suit That Fits offers high quality bespoke tailoring at a reasonable price.)

Philip

Thusday is Suitday

You are going out tonight and want to stand out? Then I have got the perfect suit for you!
Green and grey might sound like an odd choice but look at this gorgeous cloth!

A slim fit, slanted pockets (including ticket pocket) and a lime green lining?
Yes, you can pull it off without looking like a Chuck Bass-wannabe because he does not even have a suit as badass as this. You will most probably be the life of the party and everyone will be wondering who this stylish and excentric guy is! A plain white shirt with french cuffs would go very well with this eye-catching suit. In terms of accessoires, try to keep the colour of the pocket square and the socks the same (suggested colour: lavender).


Complement the dandy-ish look with a nice paisley pocket square but always remember - less is more. You do not want it to look like this (see picture)!
To complete the outfit, go for a pair of cognac monks and you will look like a real dandy ready to take on the night's adventures. The best thing about this suit is that you can wear it in the office too.

Now you might ask yourself - where do I find this incredibly cool suit? Just click here!

Philip

No Brown In Town?

Yes, thats right! No brown in town and certainly not in the City. I know this is bad news for all chocolate-suede loving men out there but a dresscode is a dresscode and trust me you do not want to spend your first day at work being an outsider. Right?!
When it comes to black dress shoes it is essential that you match the silhouette of the shoe with the fit of your suit, style of your shirt collar and the tie width. Everything has to be proportionate and I cannot stress this enough.


There are two types of shoes that you should consider when you go shopping for the perfect dress shoe:

Oxford and Monk (less formal but still acceptable) - Some say that dress shoes should be plain but I have to disagree. Nothing beats a stunning black Full Brouges Oxford!

Philip

Welcome!

Hi everyone,


I would like to welcome you all to my blog. You might wonder why its called "Men In Crisis... Well, to be honest with you, Mr. Economy is not the only one who is going through a rough patch! The modern man is lost. Not in the sense that he cannot find his way home from the pub after a few too many. No, the modern man is confused and has clearly forgotten what the word style means... Fashion is the language of the industry and style is the language of the individual! Reinvent yourselves...

Philip